Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Matt Pryor (musician)

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 27, 2025

How Matt Pryor (musician) built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Matthew Pryor is an American musician residing in Lawrence, Kansas. He's most recognized as a founding member and lead vocalist for The Get Up Kids, a highly influential band in the second-wave emo music scene. Pryor's work with The Get Up Kids has cemented his place in emo music history. Beyond his contributions to The Get Up Kids, he has also been involved in other musical projects.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1995: Formation of The Get Up Kids

In 1995, after the dissolution of Secret Decoder Ring, Jim Suptic recruited his childhood friend Rob Pope and Nathan Shay to form The Get Up Kids.

1999: Success with 'Something to Write Home About' and Beginning of The New Amsterdams

In 1999, The Get Up Kids found success with the release of 'Something to Write Home About'. Around this time, Matt Pryor began releasing solo acoustic material under the moniker The New Amsterdams.

2006: Release of First Children's Album

In 2006, Matt Pryor released his first children's album, 'If You Ever See an Owl...' recorded with The New Amsterdams under the moniker The Terrible Twos.

2008: Hiatus of The New Amsterdams and Release of 'Confidence Man'

In 2008, Matt Pryor announced that The New Amsterdams would be going on hiatus. He then released 'Confidence Man' on Vagrant Records.

2009: Recording New Material with The Get Up Kids

In 2009, The Get Up Kids recorded new material, resulting in the 'Simple Science' EP and the album 'There Are Rules'.

2011: Formation of Lasorda and Kickstarter Campaign

In 2011, Matt Pryor formed the supergroup Lasorda and ran a Kickstarter campaign to fund his second solo album, 'May Day'.

January 2012: Release of 'May Day' and 'Still, There's a Light'

In January 2012, Matt Pryor released his second solo album 'May Day', along with the companion album 'Still, There's a Light'.

2012: Launch of 'Nothing to Write Home About' Podcast

In 2012, Matt Pryor launched "Nothing to Write Home About," an interview podcast featuring one-on-one interviews with Pryor's musician friends.

October 1, 2013: Release of Collaborative EP with James Dewees

On October 1, 2013, Matt Pryor and James Dewees released their self-titled collaborative EP.

2013: Release of 'Outroduction'

In 2013, Matt Pryor released 'Outroduction', a collection of B-Sides meant to serve as the final release by The New Amsterdams.

2018: Formation of Radar State

In 2018, Matt Pryor teamed up with Jim Suptic and Josh Berwanger to form Radar State, a punk side-project.

2021: Hosting 'Vagrant Records: 25 Years on the Streets' Podcast

In 2021, Matt Pryor hosted and produced 'Vagrant Records: 25 Years on the Streets', a retrospective podcast chronicling the history of the label.

Mentioned in this timeline

Radar is a radiodetermination system employing radio waves to ascertain...

May Day is a European festival with ancient roots celebrated...

The Pope is the Bishop of Rome and the head...